Clive Alderton Steps Down as King's Senior Aide After Two Decades of Service

Sir Clive Alderton, the most senior aide to King Charles and Queen Camilla, has announced he will resign next year, concluding a 20-year tenure within the royal household. His departure will align with his 60th birthday and marks the end of a significant chapter in the modern monarchy's inner circle.

The Role and Background

Alderton currently serves as principal private secretary to both the King and Queen Camilla—a position he has held since 2015. Before that appointment, he spent nine years as deputy private secretary to the couple when they held the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales. In his resignation message to staff, Alderton reflected on his tenure, describing it as "the greatest imaginable honour to serve the King and Queen in my present role through such historic times and with unforgettable humour along the way."

The statement suggests he will maintain informal connections to the royal family beyond his official departure, noting that his support will continue "in a less formal capacity, for all of my life."

Diplomatic Career and Honours

Before joining the royal household in 2004, Alderton spent nearly two decades in the Foreign Office, beginning his diplomatic service in 1986. His postings took him across Europe and Asia, including assignments in Belgium, France, Poland, and Singapore—experience that shaped his approach to supporting the monarchy during significant moments.

His contributions have been formally recognised through multiple honours. Alderton received appointment as Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 2013, was promoted to Commander in 2019, and elevated to Knight Commander in 2022. He also serves as a member of the Privy Council and holds a trustee position with the King Charles III Charitable Fund, previously known as the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund.